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Step 1: Gather a list of the 5 most interesting locations, events, etc. you found to include in your script.
- At least 3 of your items cannot have been previously commented on by another ambassador.
Step 2: Include why you chose it and any details relevant to the item so that other ambassadors might be able to look into it such as links, dates, location, etc.
Step 3: Post!
There are a lot of things to do on and off campus at CSUSM. My favorite include:
1. The Recreation Center:
2. Game Room:
3. The Cougar Statue:
4. The Student Union:
5. The Arts Building:
6. Farmers Market:
1) One must go to event is Harvest Fest! I chose Harvest Fest because it's a great opportunity for student orgs to table. They are able to sell, give, and present their orgs that can attract new members. The best part about Harvest Fest is that its during the evening, with lights, a DJ to play music, and food! Harvest fest is usually during Thursdays and comes around once a semester!
2) One location is the Writing Center located in the Extended Learning Building. It is a great place to go to when you have trouble with assignments, need feedback on your essays, etc. There a people able to help you out and clear up any confusions you may have. There are even couches and cool A/C if you just want a quite cool place to complete work.
3) If you are looking for a great place to go after class with friends, I suggest going to the a bowling ally. We have one that's a couple minutes away called Bowlero in San Marcos. They have great food, music, and arcade games. They have different kind of foods and drinks and provide you with the bowling shoes when you pay. Best part that it isn't as expensive as you would think for the game rounds!
4) A close and cheap ice skating rink near us is Ice Town Carlsbad. They have open skating events provided during the week., but one of the most popular times to go would be Friday night. They would turn off the rink lights and turn on the disco lights and have music playing. You can even request music you wish to play for those Snapchat and Instagram posts. They have student discounts when you show your ID and Veterans discounts.
5) If you are near Academic hall, Markstien, and science hall 2 then a perfect place for you to sit is in the open seat area next to the Campus Coffee Cart. The Coffee Cart has a variety of snacks, coffee, smoothies, and more. Its a nice way to study and have a coffee break right next to you. No need to walk down the stairs and go far, especially being in a beautifully shaded area.
The University Student Union (USU) is a vibrant center for student life, offering a variety of student services, dining options, and spaces for socializing, making it a key spot for fostering community on campus. The Veterans Centerprovides a welcoming environment for military-affiliated students, offering resources and support to help them transition to college life, a unique feature that highlights CSUSM’s commitment to veterans. The Social Justice Summit is an annual event that engages students in conversations and workshops around equity and social justice, demonstrating the university’s focus on inclusion and activism; this event is usually held in the spring, with details on the CSUSM website. Kellogg Library stands out not only as a space for studying but also for its innovative resources, including technology lending and research assistance, which are invaluable for student success. Lastly, the Arts & Lectures Series offers a range of performances, lectures, and workshops featuring distinguished guests, enriching the cultural and intellectual life on campus; dates and ticket information can be found on the university’s events calendar.
One of the most interesting locations at Cal State San Marcos is the top left corner of the Markstein Hall because that is the highest point of the university, and it has the best view in the entire campus. By going to the top of this building you are able to get a great view of not only CSUSM but also the entire city of San Marcos and the Pacific Ocean on very clear days. This location is very rare for students to see because it is primarily for staff and faculty as office space, but some students who were lucky got to experience the greatest view that CSUSM has.
Another interesting location at CSUSM is the "Founder's Seal" which is located in the middle of the Administration Building, the Science Hall, and the Academic Hall. This location is interesting because the seal as well as the three buildings previously mentioned were the first buildings that CSUSM opened with. What makes this location really interesting is that students believe that the seal is a curse and if you walk on it once it will delay your graduation and stepping on it again will likely mean that you will not graduate. In order to reverse the curse, you must go up and down the stairs near the Cesar Chavez statue.
The University Hall has an interesting location on its 2nd floor near the railing and just outside of the Kinesiology classes. What makes this location interesting is that this is the coolest spot on campus because the wind from the ocean comes up from the first floor and through the railing to spread all over the second floor cooling the entire floor. This location also has a good view of the local shopping center as well as a great view of Palomar Health which partners and works with our nursing department.
The biggest and interesting place to visit at CSUSM is the USU Ballroom located in the center of the USU near the USU Amphitheatre. This is where USU and CSUSM hosts major events that require a lot of space like for example I attended two major events during the semester which were Family Feud and a special PBS documentary about Native Americans and both events featured free food and an amazing experience. Some more major events that the USU Ballroom hosts is Orientation before the new school year starts and an Internship Fair during the semester.
Science Hall 2 is an additional interesting place at CSUSM because not only do students who are involved in science classes attend class, but there is a surfing simulator. This is primarily used by our surfing team, kinesiology, and physics students. This building also is interesting because it is an exact replica of Science Hall 1, and many students confuse both buildings and this causes some students to be late to their classes.
One of my favorite places on campus is the Kellogg Library. The Kellogg Library is the spot I love the most on campus because of how focused I could be studying or doing homework. The computer lab was also great when I forgot to bring my laptop. The Student Technology Help desk has also helped me fix my Duo push, sign into the school wifi for the first time, and helping me log into MyCSUSM.
My other favorite place on campus is the Campus Way Cafe. The Campus Way Cafe has many options and I come here when I'm starving because it is an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Campus Way Cafe serves Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner every day. The options for Lunch and Dinner usually are Pizza, burgers, salad, soups, pasta, and a vegetarian option. The Campus Way Cafe doesn't serve at all hours of the day and closes in between all 3 meals.
One place within walking distance of campus is Draft Republic. Draft Republic is a restaurant, bowling alley, and bar where a lot of college students go to. They mostly serve burgers, tacos, wings, and beer. The Draft Republic is located in North City near C block apartments and the Quad dorms. Where you can park to eat at the Draft Republic if there is no street parking at Parking Structure 2 located next to the Extended Learning building or you can pay for parking at this parking lot next to the Quad.
One event that happens near campus is the farmers market that happens every Tuesday at the Eastern end of North City Drive. At the farmer's market, there is always at least one food truck and fruit vendor. The farmers market opens at 3 pm and closes at 7 pm. There is usually a live singer singing for the duration of the farmer's market.
One event that happens on campus is Super STEM Saturday which occurs on March 8th of next year. At Super STEM Saturday there are lots of STEM-like activities to help encourage people to think about becoming a STEM major. At Super STEM Saturday there are food trucks and a Hawaiian Ice truck. Not all the activities at Super STEM Saturday are STEM-based as there are games like Chess and Connect Four. All of the activities at Super STEM Saturdays are completely free.
1. Chef Pho and Grill is a Vietnamese restaurant that is in the shopping center near the school. The food is really good and they have many options to choose from rice dishes to Pho. The service is quick and you look leave with a happy full stomach. They are open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm. I would suggest to walk here if you are on campus because it is fairly close and it would only take 10 minutes.
2. SBSB has a computer lab on the second floor that only a few people know about . This computer lab is helpful if the library computers are full and if you want a quieter place to do your computer work. You can also reserve this computer lab for club meetings and if you are looking for a good nap spot on campus they have a sofa in there as well.
3.If you dorm and want to go shopping then go to the North County mall in Escondido. The drive isn't that bad and it is a big mall with three floors. There are also lots of restaurants around the mall if you don't feel like going to the food court. The restaurants are The Cheesecake Factory, BJ's, Red Robin, and On the Border. If you want to shop till you drop then go to North County Mall.
4. If you are a fan of ever bowl acai bows then you're in luck. There are two ever bowls in San Marcos and they aren't far. If you decided to go hiking near the hiking trail in the morning then stop by ever bowl after to get yourself a healthy breakfast .
5. Boomers in Vista is great place to hangout with your friends. They have mini golf, batting cages, go karts, and a arcade. Fun fact this is the only Boomers left in San Diego and it's worth it to go. Then after you can eat at Texas Roadhouse which is relatively close.
One of my favorite locations on campus is the Clark Field House, the gym where I spend a lot of time. I workout here and participate in open gyms held by Campus Recreation. They have yoga classes, pilates, and more. I suggest checking this place out if you are active because it is a great place to exercise and meet new people.
Another place that I love to spend my time is the fourth floor of the library. It is super quiet, and I like to go near the windows, where there are desks that I can sit at and not be disturbed. There are also tables, so if I want to study quietly with my friends, that is another option. It is also less busy than the third floor, so I can always find a good spot to study.
A weekly event near campus is the farmers market, which happens every Tuesday. This is a great place to go with your friends and get yummy food. They also have fresh fruit and plants that you can buy for your dorm or apartment.
If you live on campus, the events that the RAs and RPMs hold are super fun. Sometimes, there is food, so it is fun to go with your friends, and you get to do fun activities as well. The RPMs usually hold events where you can study; sometimes, they provide fidget toys. I have been to a lot of these and enjoy them every time.
Another great place to hang out is the pickleball court at the UVA; I love hanging out here with my friends and playing pickleball with them. There are also campus recreation events that are held here sometimes, and they provide spike ball as well, which is a fun game to play with your friends as well.
CSUSM has the perfect location because you are near so much. For instance, the beaches are about 25 minutes away depending on which one you go to. Personally, I love to go to Oceanside Pier especially on Thursdays because that is when the Sunset Market happens! If you want to grab good food and watch the sunset by the ocean, this is the place to be.
If you like the ocean too, in Carlsbad there is the Agua Hedionda lagoon. There is a store right by the water where you can rent kayaks, paddle boats, and paddle boards. They do offer lessons too!
If your not into the beach, no worries! Also about 20 minutes away is Calavera Hills trails! Calavera Hill was a volcano that hasn't erupted in over 22 million years. There are a lot of trails to explore and if you hike to the top of the hill you have a great view of everything.
If you like to shop, like I do, my favorite mall to go to is UTC in La Jolla. Even if you just want to walk around and have a nice dinner, this mall is so beautiful. It's about a 30 to 40 minute drive, but I promise it is worth it!
And finally, if you are in the mood to try new foods, head down to Kearny Mesa to Convoy Street! There are so many different Asian restaurants, like hot pot, KBBQ, or a revolving sushi bar! It is so fun to explore here and try new foods.
Safari Park- This location is right off San Pasqual Valley Rd which is essentially the 78. Meaning it is only about a 25-minute drive. One cool benefit is that CSUSM students can receive discounted tickets.
Ryan Bros Coffee- If you want a quiet place off campus to study then Ryan Bros Coffee is the place. They offer affordable coffee and food, which are both really good. They are located on Twin Oaks Valley Rd, meaning super close to campus.
Veterans Center- As a dependent I rely heavily on the VA center to help me with any questions or concerns I have when it comes to my benefits. Not only do they aid Veterans and dependents, but they also offer a nice place to relax and hang with friends.
Old Town Temecula- Even though it is about a 35-to-40-minute drive it is defiantly worth it. There are so many different restaurants and activities you can enjoy while there. Especially the Old Town Sweet Shop.
Piezookie Tuesdays at BJ's- Every Tuesday the restaurant BJ's offers a $5 Pizookie. The closest BJ's to CSUSM is right of the 15 in Escondido which is about a 15-minute drive. So, if you have a sweet tooth this is definitely for you.
Here are 5 most interesting locations, and events that I can include in the script,
-Double Peak Park is a park on the top of a hill and you can see Cal State San Marcos, the beaches (the coast) the 78 freeway, the 15 freeway, and the 5. You can see downtown San Diego and it was an amazing view for sunsets and sunrise.
- Tamarack Beach is another location that I would bring up. It is 20 minutes away from campus and is my favorite beach to go to after class. Enjoy sunsets, or a sunrise and a friendly beach. Parking is great you can pay or park on the streets for free.
- Winco! Winco is a grocery store that is 12 minutes from campus driving. I call it the winning company. It has great prices and is close to campus for those who may be dorming in The Quad or the UVA who want to buy groceries instead of a meal plan.
-PARL is the Psychology Academic Resources Laboratory. This is in the SBSB building and it is a great resource for any psychology class. I love psychology. It is one of my favorite places to go to get help and everyone is so friendly and helpful. I would recommend anyone to go even if it is just to work on homework.
-Cougar Care is another great location for anyone who is new to our campus. Cougar Care helps with almost anything here on campus and can connect you to many of the resources here on campus. They also have free popcorn on Tuesday!
There are many interesting locations and events on campus or around campus!
-There is a farmers' market that is held every Tuesday. It is super fun to look around and see what the vendors are selling. At the farmers' market, I have seen many different things being sold such as fresh produce, honey, flowers, food, clothing, etc. I think it's a great thing to do if you are feeling up to walking around!
-If you like the beach or want a quiet place to study, I recommend taking a trip on the Sprinter to Oceanside. Oceanside is the last stop on the Sprinter and only takes about 20 to 30 minutes via train. I love the beach so going to Oceanside and sitting by the water is my go-to. I usually go to study or just read a book; it depends on how I am feeling. Besides the beach, there are other things to do in Oceanside.
-If you like rock climbing, behind the QUAD there is a rock-climbing facility. It's a great place to be active and have fun. I've never been but I have heard that it is worth the trip.
- Another place to go to is Carlsbad. Only 20 minutes out from San Marcos, Carlsbad has so many things to do. There are malls, beaches, places to eat, etc. I'm not from the area, so going anywhere is new and exciting for me. Legoland is also located in Carlsbad, so if you are into Legos then I would say to go.
- At CSUSM there are many sports. Sporting events here at CSUSM are so much fun! I think going to sporting events and cheering for the team is fun. I take my friends sometimes my family wants me to take them.
1: Cougars pantry: Last semester I would go almost every Thursday to the pantry with friends, it was a great walk and a great place to get candies, and other things my friends would want or need, while not having to pay anything saving me a lot of money, and money I could not put in my tuition, you should know though that you need to have your student ID with you to check in, since you can only go once a week.
2: Gym: Last semester I had gone to the gym a lot, at first I went to workout a bit but I kind of stopped going as much because me and my friends went to the basketball court instead. The outside court is open, even at night time, with other students sometimes playing as well, so its great spot to go to at night time to just have fun but get your exercise in as well. My friends who were really good also joined the tournament they had, which was very fun to watch and was just a great way to end the night every week or so.
3: SBSB: The building is where I spend most of my days, its both clean and open though as well, I also usually have at least one class there a semester so I’ve gotten to know the building well, walking around I’ve gotten to know where the vending machines are, printing, computer room, and other important things you would need to know about when spending most of your time there
4: MSA club: The MSA club, located inside the SBSB, is where I spend most of my time to be specific. I spend my time with friends studying, asking for help on issues inside and outside of school, and just helping each other out with whatever we might need. As noted above we also spend our days doing activities such as basketball, but we have outside campus activities as well such as hiking or soccer.
5: PS2 parking: Parking might be an interesting choice, and people might be wondering why I didn’t pick PS1 even though it's more popular, but thats specifically while. Thanks to PS1 being close to campus, and being more popular, PS2 is usually always open with spots free, while being away from the sun and being able to park in a safe place. If you’re worried about the walk, the extended learning building has a bridge which you can take to get to the main campus so its a great place to park if you have some free time and its too sunny outside to park.
1. Crafty Cougars: Crafty cougars is a USU event that allows students to come and show their artistic skills, have fun, and meet new people.
2. Harvest Fest: Harvest Fest is a event in the fall that allows students to explore student organizations while enjoying fun cultural foods
3. Veteren Center: The veteren center is across from Markstein Hall that welcomes all students to come a relax, print, and make friends.
4. Gym: The CSUSM Clarke Field House serevs as the home of the CSUSM Athletics Department and is the perfect location to get your excercise and take full advantage of the state of the art amenities that come with it including a full service gym, personal training, and lounge spaces.
5. Group Classes: Campus Recreation gives students and non students access to weekly group fitness classes such as pilates, yoga, core n more, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Zumba
Gather a list of the 5 most interesting locations, events, etc. you found to include in your script.
- Carlsbad State Beach & Downtown Carlsbad: The Carlsbad state beach is a beautiful beach spot with great parking, and a clean beach. Downtown Carlsbad had lots of shops and yummy food places for you to explore. This is about a 20 minute drive from campus.
- Old Town San Diego: Old Town is a fun place for those interested in Mexican culture. They offer many handmade goods and food, live music, and beautiful traditional Mexican architecture and decorations. It is about a 40 minute drive, but is worth it as there is plenty to do, you would be able to spend the whole day.
- Library Study Rooms: The library study rooms are great for people who like to work alone, and when you really need to get work done without outside distraction. I have utilized many study rooms throughout the semester, especially when I have a speech in class due, because I was able to practice speaking alone.
- First Night Celebration: The first night after you finished your classes, CSUSM hosts a first night celebration, where there is lots of food and fun games for you to try. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and have fun.
- U-hour: U-hour is a great opportunity to meet new clubs and groups that might interest you, as well as play fun games and possibly even get free food. U-hour is every Tuesday and Thursday from 12-1, and there are no classes scheduled at that time.
Double peak park is an amazing view of the whole city and more! If you are a big morning person, I highly suggest you wake up really early to go see the sunrise. In my opinion the view of the sunrise is one of the best. Not all sunrise/sunset spots are easily to access but thankfully is easy access for anyone!!
Sunset cliffs are one of the most popular sunset views in San Diego County. It over looks cliffs looking out onto the beach in La Jolla. I highly recommend going there it is one of the best sunsets I've seen.
Palm Court is by far my favorite scenic part of the campus. There's so many palm trees and each palm tree are different and even originates from somewhere different around the world which is very unique. It is right by the university hall, academic hall, and markstein hall, which makes it a perfect passing period to relax and recollect yourself.
SeaWorld is so unique. For anyone who has not visited it is an outdoor aquarium basically but also incorporates amusement parks with all their fun rides. It is kind of a drive but is so worth it. It is about 30 minutes away from campus.
little Italy is a small town built to remember the Italians. Many Italians started to settle down near this little town and overtime became a very popular food court filled with many Italian restaurants and the architecture looks exactly like italy.
My top 5 favorite places on campus:
The Cross Cultural Center located in the USU: I volunteered in the Cross Cultural Center during my first semester as a freshmen. I found that it offered a quiet place to study in the mornings after class and an opportunity to meet other students of different backgrounds. However during U-Hour it is always very crowded and everyone divulges into conversations. If you are looking for a fun area that is comforting and an opportunity to meet new students the Cross Cultural Center is a wonderful place to visit. If the room becomes too loud or crowded there is also a patio where you can sit at tables or on a couch to overlook the extended learning building. They also offer snacks all day as well as drinks, during events they also offer various food options.
The Commuter lounge: As a commuter, I often leave my house very early to ensure that I beat the traffic and make it to class on time. I have found that the commuter lounge is open and offers a quiet and secluded place on campus to read, rest, do homework, eat and socialize quietly.
The Extended learning building: The extended learning building is a newer building and is a little bit of a walk off of the main campus. However, it has the tutoring center which is always s a great place to visit during the semester to ask clarifying questions before exams or doing homework. There are also many delightful restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream, sushi and other places surrounding the building. The ice cream place is on my top five list as it is delicious and perfect for when you are feeling stressed. There are also tables outside of these shops to study or inside of the extended building on the third floor.
The study rooms in the Markistein building: The study rooms in Markistein hall are usually empty in the afternoon and morning. They are great areas to go to if you want to study alone or with a few friends. There is a table, some chairs, a very helpful whiteboard and some dry erase markers. I find it extremely helpful to go here if the campus is very crowded or I want to do some major studying to prepare for a math test or economics. As you can use the whiteboard to redo graphing problems, word problems and more. The room is all yours once you get in it, it is very quiet and you could play your own music and do whatever you wish to well staying on campus.
Palm Court: Palm Court is a lovely place to go for studying and if you are feeling stressed out. You can just sit or put in your headphones well taking in the beautiful scenery of the trees, the busyness of the campus and the smell of coffee.
Kick Boxing- Kick boxing is a class that our school offers to every student in the campus REC center. If you ever want to get into some sort of martial arts or self-defense classes, I think that Kick Boxing as well as other classes offered are a great way to start. This is also a great form of exercise if going on runs is to boring. This event is usually held on Mondays and Wednesdays but could change depending on any sort of hiccups in schedules.
Farmers Market- The farmers market is a great place for you and your friends to get delicious food and enjoy some live music as well. This is open every Tuesday from 3-7pm. It is located behind the Quad where we have a lot of restaurant options.
Sport events- My favorite activity to do is go to sporting events. When you are a student at CSUSM you get into all events for free, so take advantage of that. This includes all NCAA2 games as well as club games. They are great events to go to with your friends and have fun cheering on your school.
Mesa Rim- Mesa Rim is a great place to spend the day at with your friends or family. This is a rock-climbing center that provides all levels of walls starting from beginner all the way to pro level walls. The main objective of this place is to help you with self-growth and reaching new heights, as well as bringing a genuine and caring community to our area.
Bike trails- IF you are like me and love a good trail to ride, we have the perfect spots for you. In our area there a multiple very good hiking trails where you are also allowed to ride your bikes. A good trail is always a super fun way to get you week started and go let out some energy. My personal favorite spot to go is double peak park. Not so much for the level you have to be to ride this trail, but more because it has beautiful scenery.
My favorite place on this entire campus is in the Kellogg Library, it is in the very back of the third floor of the library where there are little cubicles that are in a row that overlook the recreation fields. It is very secluded there and it is the perfect place to study when you need some peace and quiet.
My second favorite place on campus is campus coffee the family owned pop up coffee shop on the same level as Markstein Hall, and it is so cute and very convenient and it usually has a shorter line than Starbucks and the coffee is just so much better made.
The next spot I like is in the little courtyard in front of the Cougar Care Center. Its small, secluded, little people actually know about it, and its a beautiful path to get there because of the murals decorating the walls in the outside entrance to the courtyard.
Next, I like the PS1 parking lot which I know sounds crazy but hear me out. The acoustics are amazing, there is charging available in that parking lot and I drive an electric car so I know where all the charging spots are and there aren't many.
Lastly, I love the Gonzalez Grove because it is very secluded and quiet. I love how sweet and pretty it is there, and its in between two buildings which I have classes in which makes my life a lot easier.
My favorite place on campus is the USU activity center also known as the USU Arcade. This area is
Monday-Thursday: 10am-8:30pm and Friday: 10am-5p. You can do a lot of things here such as use the arcade machines, play pool, buy movie tickets at a discounted price, etc.
Other location I frequently go to is the STEM Center, this is where you can get 1 on 1 tutoring with someone who specializes in your given class and it allows students to do better on their assignments if they are stuck. The tutors are very patient and friendly and always welcome newcomers. It is in the Extended Learning building on the second floor.
Lego land is our nearest theme park which is located in Carlsbad, CA. It is about a 20 minute drive from campus and it is relatively affordable compared to most theme parks. They are usually open from 10AM - 5PM
The San Diego safari park is right past the Escondido mall. They showcase many animals from the deserts of Africa,. Fun fact students in the San Diego area get discounted tickets so take advantage of it while you can.
The Kellogg Library offers a variety of services on campus. Some notable loactions inside the library are the zoom rooms and the IT department. If you are a first year, ask about the CSUCCESS program where they loan you a laptop for free until you graduate.
There are many events and places to go to on or around campus here are 5 to name a few
1. One of my favorite places to go which is about a 20-30 minute drive from campus is Kobey's swap meet which is in San Diego. They host a large swap meet/flea market on the weekends with 3 dollar entry. You can find a variety of things here from clothes to collectibles to parts and much more. It's a great place to go shopping with friends just to find interesting clothes or items. Everything there is relatively cheap as well making it a great place for college students to go.
2. On campus we have our campus coffee cart which has a variety of items you can order. They have coffee, espresso, smoothies, pastries, and energy drinks. All of which come at high quality for a decent price. They are a locally owned business that runs here on campus and are beloved by our students.
3.Another great place on campus is the Kellogg Library which hosts a variety of events and is also great for studying or meeting up with friends to study. They have study rooms you can reserve before your big exams, tons of reading areas with thousands of books. They also have a patio where students can read or study in the sun and relax on couches or sofa chairs.
4. Double peak park is a 5-8 minute drive from campus and allows you to see the sunset from the peak of San Marcos. It's a great spot to drive to or hike up to with friends.
5. The sports center on campus can house up to 1400 students and can be a great place to see a home game from some of the CSUSM Sports teams. You can go to a volleyball or basketball game with other students and show your student pride.
San Diego Zoo: 40 min drive from here but worth seeing all the animals while your near! It's a huge zoo so wear comfy shoes and prepare to walk a lot. Super fun to take kids with you and also recommend bringing water if going during the summer.
Old Town San Diego: 40 min drive from here and super fun to walk around and enjoy great food. Sometimes they'll have super fun events, especially during Halloween they have ghost tours to go see.
Legoland: 28 min drive from here and super fun to go and see the different worlds of Lego, including the waterparks which are so much fun and the food is great.
Farmers market: It's from 3-7 behind the quad with cute clothes and jewelry sold. they also have many food spots including my favorite which are the dumplings and Boba which I highly recommend.
Oceanside pier: 25 min drive to enjoy the beach and pier! Many students like to take the sprinter which takes about an hour due to stops but really fun with friends. The pier has an amazing view of the ocean and and it the longest pier over the pacific ocean in California! Also recommend getting fish tacos while you're there.
1. Farmers market: Every Tuesday from 3-7pm. Located behind The Quad. It has a lot of different food to enjoy, and they have live music. They also sell fresh fruits and vegetables, jewelry, handmade soaps, etc.
2. Old Town San Diego is about a 40-minute drive from CSUSM. They have great restaurants, and it has over 35 historic sites and museums with lots of merchandise. They also offer ghost tours for guests of all ages, including families and children.
3. Sky Zone is about a 10–15-minute drive from CSUSM. It is open every day from 10am-9pm. It is an indoor trampoline park where you can go enjoy your time with friends and family!
4. San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park which is about a 45-minute drive from here. It is open every day from 9am-5pm. It houses many animals and plants for you to look at.
5. Balboa Park is about an hour drive from here. It is a very nice place to go and relax. The balboa park also has museums and there is a fee to go in, but it is not expensive at all.
Farmers Market: Time: Tuesdays from 3pm to 7pm, in the shopping area located by the Quad. Going here during the farmers market is a great place to get some good, cheaper food while enjoying live music and afterwards, our student favorite Wynston’s Ice Cream.
Carlsbad: The Carlsbad beach is just a 20 minute drive, or a 30 minute train ride via the Sprinter. In Carlsbad we have our LegoLand, the Flower Fields, as well as plenty of outdoor shopping areas such as the Carlsbad village.
Balboa Park: About an hour long drive from here we have San Diego’s famous Balboa park. Balboa park is a historical site filled with beautiful gardens worthy of those instagram selfies. They have a Japanese garden section where their Cherry Blossom trees will bloom during March. In fact, they hold a Cherry Blossom Festival throughout the entirety of March.
Rock Climbing: Right behind the Quad about a 5 minute walk away we have a rock climbing facility. In fact, we even have a rock climbing club that attends. Fortunately for us they offer student discounts on their day passes and memberships.
Sea World: About a 35-40 minute drive from here we have Sea World. Luckily for us College students, they’re currently doing 50% off of tickets, and membership passes when you verify your San Marcos student email, which really comes in handy for wanting to cram in different adventures during your college career.
one of my favorite around the area is the rock climbing that is right behind the quads within 5 minutes walk, if you like to exercise in different ways, rock climbing is the one great sport for you.
also if you like doge ball and trampoline, sky zone is the place for you, you can go there and have fun with your friend and its just in 5 minutes drive so it is not that far from the campus.
if you like the view of the San Marcos during the sunset, double peak park is decently your spot for the rest of your journey, I love it there because its so beautiful and so quite.
Balboa park is one of the places that is must seen, it is one of the historic places in San Diego, it has a lot of historical museums and places and it is in 1 hour drive so if you have free time on your weekends, Balboa park is the place that you should visit at some point.
and finally the place that every one knows about in the whole nation, San Diego zoo, it is in the 1 hour drive and you defiantly have to visit it, even though the ticket is a little bit pricy, but trust me it worth it.
Moonlight Beach: Moonlight beach in Encinitas is one of the most magical beaches I've ever been to. It is right below a cliff, so the surrounding city has almost a total view of the ocean from anywhere. The coast is lined with small businesses and delicious food, I love making a day out of going there.
If you are into hiking, there is a lot to explore here In San Marcos. There is Double Peak Park, which has a beautiful view. There is also my personal favorite, Discovery Park which is built around an adorable manmade lake, but there are small trails scattered around the city so don’t be afraid to explore.
Something super fun and trendy is SOCAL AXE. It is an axe throwing place which I know a lot of college students might need around finals.
San Marcos Farmers Market. Every Tuesday there is the city farmers market right here behind the quad. This Farmers Market always has something new but never forgets to keep around the fan favorites. I look forward to it every week and even bought my mom and handmade necklace there for Christmas. The food is amazing and my favorite thing to look at every week are the beautiful flower arrangements.
If you are a café hopper like me then you will love all our Caffeinated options here in San Marcos. I'm a person who loves to give recommendations, so if I had to pick my favorite place to get a sip, I would have to say our local cat café. It is called cat and craft and you can watch adorable cats while you drink your coffee or pay to go play with them. The best part is that if you meet your perfect cat you can totally adopt them!
One of my favorite locations on campus is the green roof on top of the University Student Union. This location is a perfect place to kill time in between classes to either spend time with friends or get homework done. It has a wonderful view of the sports fields, dorms, and the surrounding area.
The Forum Plaza is also a wonderful location on campus. As one of the busiest parts of campus, there is usually always something going on here. This is where the Student Org. Fair is held each semester, ss well as Meet the Greeks. The Associated Student Union also holds a lot of events in this area as well, because it is located right next to the USU amphitheater.
If you are looking for a calmer and quieter place on campus, Palm Court is great for that. In my opinion this is one of the most beautiful places on campus, with a perfect view of Markstein Hall. The Palm trees provide wonderful green scenery as well as shade during the warmer months.
There are many different sports games happening year-round. These events are always a fun time to attend to show your school pride. My favorite games to watch are soccer, baseball, and lacrosse. All these games are free to attend with your student ID.
One of the biggest events put on every year by campus is the annual Festival 78. This event is essentially a concert/music festival put on by ASI. It is held on the main field. It is held in the spring semester and tickets are very affordable for students (around $30). Last year, our musical guests included MAXMusic, Lyss Loschiavo, and bbno$.
